Tester hosts round-table in Great Falls to discuss infrastructure

GREAT FALLS – U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) hosted a round-table discussion at the Great Falls Public Schools District Office on Friday.

The meeting followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that he wants to put together a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill.

Tester opened the floor to hear input from Great Falls Mayor Bob Kelly, the president of Great Falls College-MSU, the president of the Great Falls Development Authority, and other community members.

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He said that meetings like that are important when it comes to what gets put at the top of the list.

“I think that public input on this is really, really important and I think if people are sending emails out to myself and Senator Daines and Congressman Gianforte, I think that could help make a difference on what does get funded in the end.”

He noted that people in Montana will probably have to put some money toward the infrastructure needs.

“I think the state will probably have to put in some dollars. It depends on how it’s structured, but my guess is that the vast majority of the money will be coming from the federal government or it won’t be built.”

Tester will take the feedback he heard at the roundtable and use it to push for a bill that works for Montana, according to a press release.